Although the condition was passed, residents were pleased when members agreed the screening trees to be planted around the incinerator should be mature, as had been previously stated in county council documents.

In more recent paperwork, officers stated 25, 14cm-16cm girth trees and 22 feathered trees would be planted as singles and in small groups along the railway line, to provide landscape mitigation measures.

The girth of a mature tree starts at 20cm.

Artist's impression of the planned eco-park in Shepperton

Planning officer Alan Stones said: “The condition uses the word 'mature'. What I am saying is that [it is] a fair, reasonable and proportionate interpretation of that in terms of what the industry is able to provide.”

But Councillor Ian Beardsmore argued: “There’s been a very great material change to not having mature trees.”

“What’s been the substantive change in evidence to downgrade? I feel the professional advisors are not really aware of what’s available,” added Cllr Michael Sydney.

Documents detailing the dust and odour management plan, construction environment management plan, and a scheme about implementation, maintenance and management of a sustainable water drainage system were all agreed at the meeting.